Spurs stories | Richard Whitehead - Nottingham to N17, 80 marathons and counting…

Born and bred in Nottingham, Paralympic hero Richard Whitehead is Spurs through and through - not long after his 80th marathon - and another world record - he told us why it was so important for us to win the 1991 FA Cup Final, with him there to watch it all unfold at Wembley...

Memorably a gold medallist at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, Andy Greeves spoke to Richard as part of our In That Number series for our Official Matchday Programme.

Firstly Richard, congratulations on completing your 80th marathon in Chicago last month and doing so in a world-record time for an athlete with a bilateral knee amputation, of 2:41:36…

Richard: “Thank you. It has been some journey since I did my first marathon in New York in 2004. I have been fortunate to have support all over the world and I must mention the support Spurs have given me as part of that. I’ve been able to raise vast amounts of money for charity and go for my own personal goals as well. So that has meant a lot. A marathon has ups and downs. Every time you run a marathon, you need to respect the distance and I did that in Chicago. I aimed for 2 hours 35 minutes, as I said I would to Spurs fans when I spoke at the Luton game last season. I went through halfway at 1:17:20, so I was on for my 2:35 at that stage. But at 18 miles, it was slightly warmer than I was expecting and I got very dehydrated. I broke my own world record, even though I stopped three times, so that shows you how fast I was going. I know I’ve got 2:35 in my legs. It’s a case of whether I now save that for London or another marathon next year.”

Many of our supporters will remember you from your successes at the Paralympics. Can you tell us a bit more about your Paralympic appearances?

Richard: “I first competed at a winter Paralympics in 2006, when I used to play ice sledge hockey. I’ve done four Paralympics in total, three summer and one winter and I’ve won four Paralympic medals in total - two gold and two silver. People still talk to me about my Paralympic achievements, especially at London 2012, about being in the stadium to watch me or watching at home. It’s fantastic people still have those memories 12 years on and that my success resonated with them. I think what people liked about my race (in the 200m, T42 at London 2012) is that I wasn’t winning from the start but I was able to come through the field. Maybe people’s expectations of their ‘can’ and ‘cannot’ changed through that 24 seconds. I’ve always looked to inspire people and that’s what I want to do now through my work in schools and other organisations, I want to change the dial as to what is possible. I want to inspire the next generation. I want to get more girls and boys, those with hidden challenges and disabilities, to get involved in sport.”

On to the topic of another sporting passion of yours - Tottenham Hotspur! How did you become a Spurs fan?

Richard: “At school, I was a big fan of the teams Spurs had with players like Clive Allen, Chris Waddle and Glenn Hoddle to begin with and then Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne. I gravitated towards those kind of players, Spurs’ way of playing etc. I was also aware of the great cup finals we had been involved with in the past - winning the FA Cup in 1981 with Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles. That’s how I became a Spurs supporter. These days, it is great having the connection with our supporters and the Club. I’m deeply connected with Spurs Ability, and I have also been into the Club to deliver a motivational talk to our Women’s team a few seasons ago. Despite living in Nottingham, I feel a part of the Club and that is very special.”

What was the first Spurs game you attended?

Richard: “My first Spurs game was in the mid-1980s. It was in the season before Clive Allen had his incredible goalscoring run of scoring 49 goals in a season, which was in 1986/87. So, my first match would have been 1985/86, I think. I don’t know the details of the game though. Growing up, I was also able to get to Spurs away games in the East Midlands as well as going to White Hart Lane.”

What other early memories do you have of the Club?

Richard: “I was lucky enough to get to the FA Cup Final in 1991 – ironically, against Nottingham Forest, who most kids in my school supported. With friends and family supporting Forest, we had to win that final otherwise it would have been hell for me living in Nottingham at the time! It was an exciting period in both clubs’ history, and they had some really good players… Des Walker, Stuart Pearce, Steve Hodge etc. for Forest and Lineker, Gazza, Gary Mabbutt, Paul Stewart and Erik Thorstvedt in our team. I really enjoyed that era of football. The run to the final was incredible, especially with the form Gazza was in. I didn’t get to the semi-final against Arsenal but watched on TV and that was obviously incredible too.”

What have been your favourite moments supporting Spurs over the years?

Richard: “The 1991 FA Cup Final was a huge highlight for me as I say. I also saw us beat Leicester in the 1999 League Cup Final but sadly, I wasn’t at the 2008 final against Chelsea. I’ve also been at some other finals where, unfortunately, we haven’t won, like the 2015 League Cup Final against Chelsea. For me, the highlight supporting Spurs over the years has been seeing the mavericks at their peak in a Spurs shirt. Gazza, David Ginola, Gareth Bale, Gary Lineker, Chris Waddle, Glenn Hoddle… all those players who really excited the crowd. When you think of those kinds of players and the style of football that was played with them in the team, you get an understanding of why the appointment of Ange Postecoglou was so important for this Club. You always go away from Spurs under Ange Postecoglou having been entertained. Also, for me as an athlete, I love the way his team live and die by the shirt. That’s the advice I give to young athletes - go out and perform as if it’s your last event. We see that from this group of players. Even if they are losing, they are still going for it. Everyone has bought into Ange’s approach and respects the level of commitment he expects. Think of a player like Sonny. He is absolutely exhausted when you see him post-match and doing interviews, because he’s left everything out there on that pitch. He’s mentally and physically exhausted. He takes a defeat to heart, and I like that.”

Who are your current favourite Spurs players and why?

Richard: “For the reasons I’ve just given, Sonny is a big favourite of mine. He is such a brilliant captain and a great role model. I remember being invited by a sponsor to go pitchside before a Manchester City-Spurs game (3 December, 2023). Just before kick-off, I said to him ‘grab a couple of goals today’. Sonny duly obliged, but I should have mentioned, I meant two goals for Spurs. He scored for us but also scored an own goal!  Joking aside, it was lovely to meet Sonny, albeit briefly. He is a fantastic guy, and everyone wants a piece of his time. I am full of admiration for how down to earth he is and how well he treats people. What a great servant he has been to this Club and let’s hope we can win that trophy as a club that Sonny so deserves as an individual. As a player, he’s incredible. Fast, dynamic, he scores goals, makes goals and he gives everything. He embodies the Spurs way.”

How often to you get to Spurs matches?

Richard: “I am an ambassador for Nike, so I am very lucky that I am able to watch matches from the Nike box at Spurs when I can get to fixtures. I’ve been to three or four matches so far this season. Because of my schedule, I don’t get to Spurs as often as I would like but whenever I do go, I always feel a great sense of closeness to the Club.”

Finally, what are your hopes for Spurs this season?

Richard: “I’m an optimist. It has been a mixed start to the season, but I am enjoying the style of football. I think it’s important to remember, when discussing ambitions, targets etc., that the players are people. Moving in a particular way will take time but there are lots of positive signs. Top four would be amazing this season. It would show real progress and also allow us to attract players to the Club to make us even stronger. There are lots of teams in the hunt for top four this season but I’m going to hang my hat on us achieving it.”